1

A Day
Observed

A story presented by

Scene 1:
‘Morning’

It was a bright cold day with glassy surfaces that looked hard.
Into the square frame he stood as if in a dream.

What emerged was precisely what he expected to find: a reflection of memory images. Contemplating his face in the photo frame he waited.

1960s lucite and chrome 3 image photo frame

By the steady hands of his watch, he listened to time. Every day for the past sixteen days he saw her. Silver lingered in the crease of
an open book.

Rolex burlwood dial, Jubilee bracelet Miniature
oar English university trophy, sterling silver.

So absorbed in his thoughts
he hardly saw the platinum catch-all, the key, or the revelation locked inside those lapis lazuli cufflinks tossed unmistakably in cold blue.

Hans Hanson catch-all. Mid-century, Danish sterling silver. Stirrup money clip, by Hermès. Padlock keyring, sterling silver " Tie bar-slide " Round lapis lazuli cufflinks" Square cufflinks, two tone rose and yellow gold, diamond."

Only by whirling on his heel could he hope to comprehend
the panorama.

Shoe horn, circa 1930. American sterling silver
Scene 2:
‘Noon’

He remained.Trapped in that enormous room,
unmistakably familiar in feeling yet so peculiar.

Above the mantle was
displayed an Austrian hound
of impeccable integrity.

Hagenauer sculpture, 1930

His gaze fell on the letter opener. By accident she had learnt more about his life from the contents of that letter than anywhere.

Dunhill letter opener with lighter top, circa 1950

Cleopatra’s eye reflected
the sun. Through the hypnotism
of precious metals there
emerged a dark slender shadow.

Cleopatra’s eye magnifying glass. Mid-century, gold plated
Hermès weighted pen. Silver plated.

A lighter presented itself, smooth to the touch
it gave the impression of
intelligent company.

Table lighter St Dupont, circa 1960. Gold plate
Scene 3:
‘Evening’

All this time light was receding from the room.

“I should explain why I spend so much time here”, said the silhouette. Leaves moved like shadows across her eyes.

Hermès rope bottle opener. Plated silver.

It’s not too late to turn back. Time moved with faint sounds.

Venini hourglass. Hand-blown lurid Murano glass.

He unscrewed the telescopic cup, rolled and remained still. Black eyes on the dice prophesied a new cycle.

Telescopic cup, J. E. Cauldwell. Gold plated. Dice,
Cartier for America. Vitreous enamel glass, silver

Staring down at the varnished surface her mouth worried him while her eyes examined the gold cufflink.

Audemar Piguet evening watch. gold plated, Roman dial, alligator strap
Scene 4:
‘Night’

Everything went crashing black.

Pale graceful hands placed
the gold stud box delicately
on the table.

Men’s Edwardian jewellery box, 1910. Gold plated.
Mid-century British cigar ashtray. Sterling silver and crystal.

He lit a match to make sure the watch had really stopped. Smoke lingered from its vesta case.

Realist wrapped tobacco leaf march vesta. Silver.

As the travel clock neared
one the figure vanished into dappled shadows.

Art Deco Jaeger LeCoultre travel clock.
Gold and silver plated. Retailed by Aspray.

On the newly varnished table two bronze shot cups sat alive like in a dream.

Tooth shot cup by Foundwell. Bronze and silver plated.
Set of 4, 3 silver 1 gold. Heath & Midleton champagne decanters circa 1900.
Sterling silver and glass.
The End

‘A DAY OBSERVED’
A story by FOUNDWELL
Photography Matthieu Lavanchy, creative direction OK-RM,
notes by Kate O’Brien and objects selected by Alan Bedwell

‘A DAY OBSERVED’
A story by FOUNDWELL
Photography Matthieu Lavanchy,
creative direction OK-RM
notes by Kate O’Brien
and objects selected by Alan Bedwell

Early and Rare Sterling Silver Gorham Martini Mixing Bucket

Golf Cocktail Shaker
and Matching Golf Bag Cup

Sterling Silver Woven Bottle Coaster

Foundwell

A SELECTION OF ITEMS BY THE PRODUCER OF
CRAFTED GOODS & PURVEYOR OF ANTIQUE WATCHES,
JEWELLERY & OTHER SUCH OBJECTS

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An Edwardian sterling silver trumpet shape vase.  This very elegant, well proportioned and refined twelve inch vase is very clean, and represents the evolutionary stage where the highly adorned and decorative Victorian period gave way to the paired back, simple and clean looks of the early 20th Century.  This then paved the way for the beauty that was Art Deco.  

The vase is excellent quality with a  good gauge of sterling silver, and a weighted base to improve stability once water and flowers are aded.  There is very little not to like with this vase.  The only real "detail" is a reeding around the neck and just above the break for the foot.  It is free of monograms or alike.  The shape allows for stems to breath and get water, the body then keeping an arrangement tight with the top opening up to allow the fanning of the blossoms.  The height is good and will allow for a long and full arrangement and great for a table centerpiece, or to sit on a sideboard in a hallway or entrance way.

The base is hallmarked with pictorial marks along with the "Bailey Banks & Biddle" retailer stamp.  It bears the maker's marks for Wilcox & Wagoner of New York, N.Y. In the early 20th century, the Watson Company embarked on a captivating journey, crafting a line of exquisite sterling hollow-ware adorned with the enchanting "sword and laurel wreath" mark. This collaboration with the esteemed Wilcox & Wagoner firm began around 1900 and continued until the latter's closure, circa 1905. Undeterred, the Watson Company persevered, preserving the iconic mark on their creations until the year 1929, weaving a tapestry of timeless elegance throughout the decades

As mentioned prior, this handsome piece also is stamped; "Bailey Banks & Biddle" on the base.  Bailey, Banks & Biddle (BB&B) is a famous American jewelry company that was founded in 1832 as Bailey & Kitchen by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. The store was originally located at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a factory on Samson Street in the city's jewelry district. The company's name was changed to Bailey & Company in 1846 and then to Bailey, Banks & Biddle around 1878 when J.T. Bailey II, George Banks, and Samuel Biddle became involved. 

By the late 19th Century the firm was flourishing and alongside their retail jewellery business, they also had a highly successful insignia department which designed and manufactured medals, ribbons and honour awards for the United States government as well as military and naval academies.  They redesigned the Great Seal of the United States in 1904 (which is still in use today) produced the Medal of Honour (America’s highest military award) and also introduced the first Pilot Wings in 1917.

Vases such as these tend not to survive as they can easily be dented.  They are becoming increasingly hard to find today, and with the cost of metal and production, they are not cost effective to produce.  This is such as shame as they really make for elegant center pieces and accentuate the beauty of the flowers inside. They also look wonderful empty!

Made in America, circa 1920's, the vase is presented in excellent condition. 


Price $1,195.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
12 inches (30.48cm)
Diameter of Top
4 inches (10.16cm)